Wk 2 Polycythemia Flashcards
What is polycythemia?
Abnormally high hematocrit, hemoglobin, and RBC count
What are the three classifications of polycythemia?
Relative, primary, and secondary
What is relative polycythemia?
Due to increased plasma volume/dehydration
What is primary polycythemia?
Some sort of genetic change during the person’s lifetime
What is primary polycythemia also called?
Polycythemia Vera
What is secondary polycythemia?
When the body compensates for lack of oxygen by making more RBCs.
What is an example of secondary polycythemia?
COPD
A false high hematocrit is what type of polycythemia?
Relative
What are three causes of secondary polycythemia related to hypoxemia?
1) high altitude
2) cardiopulmonary disease
3) Defective oxygen transport
What are two causes of secondary polycythemia independent of hypoemia?
1) Renal cysts or tumors
2) Extrarenal tumors
What is the most common cause of polycythemia?
Polycythemia secondary to pulmonary disease
What is blood viscosity?
How thick the blood is
What happens as a results of polycythemia (2 things)
1) Increased blood viscosity
2) Increased blood volume
What does a high blood viscosity result in?
Decreased blood flow
What does a high blood volume result in?
Hypertension
